Development and Standardization of Moringa oleifera Leaves as a Natural Dietary Supplement

Abstract

Moringa oleifera leaves were selected as a model due to their hundreds of health benefits. On the other hand, the powder of these leaves has exhibited poor flowability, low tensile strength, bitter taste, poor dissolution rate, and lack of information regarding dosage. These are the common hurdles and limitations in the adaptation of herbal-based medications. Therefore, a comprehensive study was planned to introduce herbal-based medicines into mainstream medicines by standardization according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and international pharmaceutical standards. A Simplex Lattice Design (SLD) of Design Expert 8.0 software was used to formulate different concentrations of superdisintegrant, binder/diluent, and sweeteners. An Instron Universal Testing machine coupled with a 13 mm stainless cylindrical die was used to manufacture tablets by means of direct compression method at 20 kN applied force. Therefore, selection of excipients was made on the basis of their tensile strength, flowability, and taste-masking properties. Optimum formulation was tested on rabbits for toxicity and growth rate. All formulated tablets were evaluated on standard parameters for orally disintegrating tablets described by the Food and Drug Authority (U.S.). The optimum formulation fulfills all standard parameters such as hardness, disintegration time, friability, and dissolution rate. The present formulation showed no toxicity when tested on rabbits. The present study provides a fundamental understanding of the tableting characteristics of natural medicines. The present study provides information that will help to overcome the challenges.

Keywords: banana powder; dissolution rate; herbal medicine; orally disintegrating tablet; superdisintegrant; toxicity.